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josyjames
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Location: Bangalore-Ramamurthy Nagar
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 Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:16 pm Post subject: External CO2 Reactor |
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Hi,
Made a cheap external co2 reactor using pvc pipe. Posting the pics of what I have done. The pvc reactor would be connected to the outlet of the canister filter.
Actual plan was to glue one end permanently and close the other end with a threaded cap. The threaded cap would enable me to remove the bio balls for cleaning.
But the threaded cap available in the shop had small opening through which the bio balls could not be taken out. So glued both ends permanently.
Parts used
Plastic hose nipple glued to the end cap
End product
CO2 inlet pipe is connected at the side. Would post the pic later.
Comments welcome. |
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Nidhi
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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Nice and simple shelly.. 
But using Bio ball was not the only solution, you could have used the threaded cap design with bathing mesh kind of sponge..
but present design has no issues too.. so ignore me.  |
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Anish_a
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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Hi Shelly
Have u tested this?????How effective is this??????????
I remember seeing a similar setup with another hobbyist .............unlike urs his was fairly long and was not using BIO Balls and was some other media that was used.
How and where will u b connecting the CO2??????will that be leak proof???
Ao u see the pearling in plants after using this setup????
B/W great DIY as usual
Anish |
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govindsj
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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Hi!
Nice one. Kindly post pics after you have connected it to canister outlet.
Govindsj |
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cinciboy
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:19 am Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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| Very good job indeed. please post the complete setup once it is done. |
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josyjames
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:33 am Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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@ Srinidhi,
Seen the bio-balls models in the commercially available models. So used them.
@ Anish,
Not yet. Would do that tomorrow. It is completely leak proof since both the sides are glued together. Had tested with my other canister with water in a bucket. Would take the pic tomorrow and show how I have connected the CO2.
@ Govind & Kumaran,
Would show the complete setup tomorrow. |
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aquariumer
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 2:12 am Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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Shelly nice work .
I have used branded reactors and the gas flow in the reactor would depend on you water flow, and water flow would decrease over a period of time(more the water flow higher should be the gas pressure and visa a versa) so what I mean is there would constant fluctuation in the flow of canister and thus fluctuation in gas intake.
my point is a transparent reactor is essential to monitor actual flow of gas in the reactor chamber. You may use a bubble counter but it is a deceiving device for me. you may use a co2 indicator in such case. |
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abhis9
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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| Is it copleted Shelly !! |
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josyjames
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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| aquariumer wrote (View Post):
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Shelly nice work .
I have used branded reactors and the gas flow in the reactor would depend on you water flow, and water flow would decrease over a period of time(more the water flow higher should be the gas pressure and visa a versa) so what I mean is there would constant fluctuation in the flow of canister and thus fluctuation in gas intake.
my point is a transparent reactor is essential to monitor actual flow of gas in the reactor chamber. You may use a bubble counter but it is a deceiving device for me. you may use a co2 indicator in such case.
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Point noted. Would try to create a transparent reactor to take look into the water flow.
| abhis9 wrote (View Post):
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Is it copleted Shelly !!
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Yes. Very much and now functioning very well in my tank. Could see my plants pearling more than before. Would try to post the pics of the unit connected to the canister today evening. |
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josyjames
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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Here are the photos of the external reactor connected to the canister pipe. I have cut the hose before the spray bar and connected the reactor.
CO2 inlet connected to the bottom of the reactor.
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Sujo
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:32 am Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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What is the adhesive used for gluing them.
Have you applied M-Seal?
I wonder how you make it leak proof.
Also...
What is the direction of water flow inside the reactor?
Option 1 may be a better choice.
What I want to say is that keeping the reactor upside down (CO2 inlet at top) and keeping water flow from top to bottom may make this more efficient.
Regards
Sujo |
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josyjames
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:56 am Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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@ Sujo,
I have used the normal pvc glue. If glued properly, there wont be any leak. The same pvc glue is used in the house plumbing. Then why are you worried on the leaking of the pvc pipe. If you are just worried on this pvc gluing, then how do you trust the pvc pipes in your house pluming!!!! 
As mentioned, I have connected to the outlet of the canister. Means before the spray bar. All the external reactors are connected to the outlet of the canister filter. This would make sure that mlum/dirt does not form in the bio-balls. If you are using in the inlet of the canister, the co2 mixed water enters the canister filter.
Hence the external/internal reactors are always connected to the outlet of the canister filter. |
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Sujo
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:50 am Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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Hi Shelly,
I am yet to try the PVC glue on PVC.
Looks like it is the perfect thing to fix this.
My idea was not about connecting the co2 reactor at the inlet of canister.
It is in the outlet of canister only.
The change I suggest is to keep the reactor upside down.
So the co2 will remain more time in the reactor.
May be this picture will help you to understand what I am thinking..
The red color is the reactor.
The black ones are bioaballs !! :-)
Please note that the co2 inlet is at the top of the reactor.
Let me know your comments on this.
Thanks for giving this easy way to make the reactor.
I am also thinking about making one.
I think this is much better and cheaper than using diffusors.
Regards
Sujo |
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GANESAA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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| excellent !!! |
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josyjames
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Posts: 2500
Location: Bangalore-Ramamurthy Nagar
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: External CO2 Reactor |
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I don't think that there wont be any much difference in tilting the co2 reactor upside down. Since the reactor length is below 10", I don't see that there would be any pressure in pushing the water up/down inside the reactor.
If the reactor length is too long and there is a point in titling the reactor so that the co2 stays long inside the reactor. |
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